Experience the Mind-Blowing Moment America Got Its First Glimpse of “Weird Al” Yankovic!
Back in 1981, the world had yet to fully realize the creative genius that was American satirist, “Weird Al” Yankovic. This was the year when Yankovic, far from being the multi-media icon he is today, was just starting to make his mark on the music scene. His debut recording, a parody of The Knack’s hit song “My Sharona” titled “My Bologna,” was a quirky tribute to everyone’s favorite Italian sausage. While it may not have set the charts on fire, the track did garner some attention when it was played on The Dr. Demento Show, a popular comedy program hosted by Dr. Demento himself, Barret Eugene “Barry” Hansen.
But it wasn’t until two years later that Yankovic really caught the public’s attention with his live recording of another parody, this time a hilarious take on Queen’s “Another One Bites The Dust” called “Another One Rides The Bus.” The song became an instant hit, with Dr. Demento receiving an overwhelming number of requests for the track after its first airing. Capitol, Yankovic’s record label at the time, wasn’t interested in releasing the song, so the determined artist took matters into his own hands. With his own funds, he managed to press 1000 copies of the single and release it on his own label, Placebo Records.
The buzz around “Another One Rides The Bus” soon led to Yankovic’s appearance on The Tomorrow Show, a late-night talk show hosted by the inimitable Tom Snyder. The young artist, fresh out of college, was thrust into the spotlight, with his unique sense of style and musical talent captivating audiences across the nation. Accompanied by percussionist Jon Schwartz, who brought a new level of energy and creativity to Yankovic’s performances, the duo wowed audiences with their unconventional musical stylings.
Despite the initial nerves and uncertainties, Yankovic’s passion for his craft shone through. His ability to turn a mundane bus journey into a hilarious and catchy tune showcased his knack for transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. This was just the beginning for Yankovic, as he would go on to release his debut album, score an MTV hit with “Ricky” (a parody of Toni Basil’s “Mickey”), and ultimately leave his day job behind to pursue music full-time.
As for Queen, even they couldn’t help but appreciate the humor and creativity behind Yankovic’s parodies. Brian May, the legendary guitarist of the iconic band, commended Yankovic’s work, even if he couldn’t quite recall the artist’s name. Describing “Another One Rides The Bus” as an “extremely funny record by a bloke called Mad Al or something, in the States,” May acknowledged Yankovic’s undeniable talent.
And so, “Mad Al or something” was well on his way to becoming a household name. With his infectious energy, witty parodies, and undeniable musical talent, “Weird Al” Yankovic was carving out a place for himself in the annals of music history. And this was only the beginning of a legendary career that would see him become a cultural icon and a beloved figure in the music industry.
